All I want for Christmas

Auction hammers are nestled all snug in their beds; visions of housing sales dance in their heads.

In coming days many Aussie agencies will close their doors for a short Christmas break after yet another year helping us buy, sell and rent our homes.

Before they do, we ask a random selection of hard-working agents to share their real estate biz wish lists with us.

We hope you’ve all behaved this year …

Phil Devin, Principal of Real Way Metro in Red Hill, Brisbane:

Devin says his wish list “is probably not a fun one, but it is relevant” as 2014 draws to its end. Less market nerves and more stock are what he wants most for Christmas.

“The one biggest thing I want for Christmas is for the uncertainty to go away,” Devin says.

“The market is a bit funny at the moment, there are many investors from interstate and overseas who are cashed up to a point but what we’re finding is they will flock to homes in certain price bands and not at all to others.

“It means as agents here in southeast Queensland it is very difficult to accurately forecast what the market is currently prepared to pay and makes it very challenging.

“Vendors often feel frustrated when you do have to throw the (price) balls in the air and see how they fall.”

The one thing I want for Christmas is for the uncertainty to go away.

That heightened level of uncertainty means Devin is wishing for more homes to sell in 2015.

“The impact of current market uncertainty is a lack of new stock, so that is my other big wish at the moment.”

The agent admits he also wants an Eames lounge chair and ottoman: “Somewhere comfortable to ponder the real estate market.”

Perth-based Damian Collins, Managing Director of Momentum Wealth:

“All I want for Christmas is for the real estate industry to be left alone,” Collins pleas, explaining he thinks “too often” governments see the real estate industry as a revenue source when in fact it “plays a vital role in driving economic growth”.

“Whether at a state government level through arduous imposts, such as stamp duty, land tax or higher developer costs, or the federal government’s slated changes to dump tax negative gearing and increase regulation on foreign investors, the constant tinkering creates extreme uncertainty for all.

“Yes, we have seen some generous first home owner grants from various governments over the past decade. However a more effective tool would be to scrap archaic taxes and cut red tape.

The REIWA boss wants commitment from the WA government “that it will sensibly address property taxes” in 2015.

Airey says stamp duty is impacting on affordability and has not been adjusted to remedy bracket creep.

“It now accounts for almost four per cent of the purchase price of a median home and the REIWA believes that stamp duty should be abolished for buyers and replaced with a land tax across all owners, as recommended by the Henry Tax Review.

“Our Christmas wish is that a much better system of property taxation will be considered for next year.”

Our Christmas wish is a much better system of property taxation.

Craig Williamson, Director of Buxton Bentleigh:

“It would have to be more realistic vendors,” Williamson says.

Blending his two loves – AFL and real estate – he adds that if existing homeowners in one of his local suburbs, Bentleigh East, most of who barrack for the St Kilda Saints, happen to watch their team win the Premiership in 2015, his second wish will come true.

“They will all love life and decide it is time to trade up and buy a better house because happy people take life on – go the Saints!”

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